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Multiple Choice
Which of the following structures do many animal viruses acquire when exiting a host cell?
A
Capsid
B
Ribosome
C
Envelope
D
Nucleic acid
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the structure of animal viruses: Animal viruses typically consist of nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) surrounded by a protein coat called a capsid. Some viruses also have an additional layer called an envelope.
Learn about the viral envelope: The envelope is a lipid membrane that surrounds the capsid in some viruses. It is derived from the host cell's membrane and contains viral proteins that help the virus attach to and enter new host cells.
Explore how viruses acquire an envelope: When enveloped viruses exit a host cell, they often do so by budding off from the cell membrane. During this process, they acquire a portion of the host cell's lipid bilayer, which becomes the viral envelope.
Differentiate between enveloped and non-enveloped viruses: Not all viruses have an envelope. Non-enveloped viruses exit the host cell by lysing the cell, which does not involve acquiring a lipid membrane.
Identify the correct structure acquired by animal viruses: Based on the information, the structure that many animal viruses acquire when exiting a host cell is the envelope, which is derived from the host cell's membrane.